The Great Debate: A Platform Scene in the Seven Joint Discussions between Lincoln and Douglas. One of the Relief Pictures in the Dome of the State Capitol at Springfield, Illinois.

Original publisher's blue paper wrappers with red string binding. Dark gilt lettering and illustration on front cover. Printed by the Rokker Press of Springfield, Illinois. 6 3/4" x 8." Twenty-three pages, complete. One black-and-white frontispiece folding plate, complete. Plate shows an illustration of the titular relief sculpture. Pages are virtually pristine and intact except for slight bumping to lower corners of fore-edge, light age toning, and almost imperceptible smudges on back of folding plates and bottom margin of Page 11. Covers are very clean and intact except for slight fading and offsetting on front and back and slight wear to extremities. A Very Good, almost Near Fine copy. This is a souvenir booklet commemorating the "Lincoln-Douglas Plaque," one in a series of relief sculptures known collectively in this pamphlet as the Relief Plaques. The Relief Plaques were designed by sculptor F. Nicolai and are located on the inside of the Capitol Building Dome in Springfield, Illinois. Most of this pamphlet is author Alonzo Wheeler Jerome's interpretation of the content conveyed in the Lincoln-Douglas Plaque and brief discussion of the historical context behind the subject. He does not specifically discuss the other Plaques in the series. Jerome describes and commends the artistic qualities of the Lincoln-Douglas Plaque but laments that the key to the Relief Plaques has been lost so the artist's true intentions for Plaques' meanings may never be fully known. However, in the Lincoln-Douglas Plaque, Jerome is certain that the central subject depicted is one of the seven joint debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Lincoln and Douglas are shown at center with a table placed between them. Lincoln is standing while making his side of the argument during the debate. Douglas is seated and listening with rapt attention to Lincoln's argument while he waits for his turn to reply. Lincoln and Douglas are each flanked by a group of men who Jerome posits are their respective supporters. He discusses the possibility that the particular debate being portrayed is the one that took place in Galesburg. He also believes there is a strong likelihood that at least some of the men on both sides are portraits of noted historical figures associated with Lincoln and Douglas. Jerome raises the question as to why an African-American man is shown on Douglas's side of the plaque and offers a few, albeit inconclusive, theories. Jerome also discusses the historical background of the Lincoln-Douglas debates, the mannerisms and character of Lincoln and Douglas, and the relationship between Lincoln and Douglas. For example, Jerome describes both men as being of sharp wit and intellect but says that Lincoln would often best Douglas in terms of maintaining composure during the debates. Jerome also notes that while Lincoln and Douglas had their contentions and disagreements, they appeared to maintain mutual and professional amicability. Jerome finishes by praising the Lincoln-Douglas Plaque and its depiction of Lincoln. …